A New Mexico Ridgenosed Rattlesnake (Crotalus willardi obscurus) from Mexico.
New Mexico Ridgenosed Rattlesnake
Tag: Mexico
Black Tailed Horned Viper in Mexico
A cool little viper with horn-like scales above the eyes. That’s a common thing with arboreal vipers in Central and South America, but vipers with “horns” are relatively few in comparison. They’re closely related to other montane vipers in the area that have similar structures, but live more familiar lives in steep, heavily vegetated forests.
A few hours of careful scouring of perfect habitat turned up none of these. Then after having more or less given up, I decided to flip some rocks near the cars while we waited for the crew to reassemble … and poof: the target. It’s fun when that happens.
Cerralvo Island Rattlesnake
Cerralvo Island Rattlesnake from Baja California Sur, Mexico several years ago. There are a couple of species of rattlesnakes on this island, both of which can be found even down on the beach, in ambush alongside seashells and dolphin bones.
Southwestern Speckled Rattlesnake from Baja
A bright white and silver Speckled Rattlesnake from a desert boulder field in Baja California Norte, Mexico. This is among my personal favorite phenotypes of a very diverse species.
Sonoyta Mud Turtle
The Sonoyta Mud Turtle is only found in small parts of Sonora, Mexico, and a single small pond in extreme southern Arizona – a stone’s throw from the border. Here is one of several seen on an afternoon visit to this pool, swimming around just under the surface, going after insects and poking through clumps of algae.
Grageda-García, M., & Bogan, M. T. (2025). Conservation status of the Sonoyta mud turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense longifemorale) and comparison of estimated abundances in different historical sites along the Sonoyta River in Sonora, Mexico. Chelonian Conservation and Biology, 24(2), 155–166. https://doi.org/10.2744/CCB-1588.1
Pelican on a Desert Island in Mexico
On this relatively small desert island off the coast of Baja California Sur, there is little to worry about from predators. A variety of ocean-going birds nest here as a result, right in the open on the ground in large numbers. This leaves every rock in the area covered in endless strata of bird poop and all colors of bacteria and algae.
New Mexico Ridgenosed Rattlesnake
New Mexico Ridgenosed Rattlesnake, Crotalus willardi obscurus. This adult was found in high-elevation woodland in northern Mexico.
Switak’s Banded Gecko
Switak’s Banded Gecko that we found in Baja California Sur, Mexico. These are closely related to the Western Banded Geckos we’re all familiar with here in Arizona, with some notable differences. The most obvious being its larger size, this one about the size of a small mouse. When seen in this boulder field, they hop from rock to rock and disappear (or try to, anyway) or wag their tails in a defensive display.
1. Murray, S. S., Dugan, E. A., Clause, A. G., & Mills, A. M. (2024). Maximum size and mass of Switak’s Banded Gecko, Coleonyx switaki (Murphy, 1974). Herpetology Notes.
2. Lovich, R. E., Grismer, L. L., & Danemann, G. (2009). Conservation status of the herpetofauna of Baja California, México and associated islands in the Sea of Cortez and Pacific Ocean. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 4(3), 386–405.
3. Lemm, J. (2023). Field guide to amphibians and reptiles of the San Diego region. University of California Press.
Rosy Boa In Baja
A Rosy Boa found on a late night hike in Baja California Sur, Mexico a few years back.
Central Baja California Banded Rock Lizard
Central Baja California Banded Rock Lizard from … central Baja California, in the rocks.
